Alpine hiking and trekking tend to require more technical footwear than your average hikes. In winter, that means mountaineering boots or heavy-duty, high-top trekking boots. In warmer weather, however, many hikers turn to alpine hiking shoes. The best alpine hiking shoes are much lighter than trekking boots while still providing excellent stability, support, and traction for the rocky footing and snowy conditions that's common at high elevations. Are you lucky enough to live near big mountains? Or, do you have a bucket list trip coming up to the Swiss Alps, Italian Dolomites, Colorado Rockies, or Patagonia? This post has my pro picks for the 5 best alpine hiking shoes.
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best alpine hiking shoes
The best alpine hiking shoes are the Scarpa Rush 2 GTX, La Sportiva Spire GTX, Scarpa Rush Trail GTX, Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite, and Lowa Delago GTX Lo. Each of these alpine hiking shoes scores points for stability and support, GORE-TEX waterproofing, and grippy outsoles—and weigh significantly less than traditional trekking boots.
Scarpa Rush 2 GTX
Main Benefits:
Anchoring Scarpa's Rush series for fast-and-light hikers, the Rush 2 GTX hiking shoe is one of the best all-around hiking shoes. It's moderately stiff underfoot for good support and stability while still weighing a few ounces less than the average hiking shoe. That makes it the rare hiking shoe that's strong enough for alpine hiking yet light enough for fast hikers with light packs. If you're looking for a lighter alpine hiking shoe, the Scarpa 2 GTX is a great place to start.
La Sportiva Spire GTX
Main Benefits:
Another lighter option, La Sportiva's Spire GTX is a premium hiking shoe that can pull of tough, alpine trails. Similar to the Scarpa Rush above, it balances stability with agility with TPU inserts adding support to its lighweight construction. It's also packed with third party upgrades with the most breathable GORE-TEX waterproofing—GORE-TEX Surround— and Vibram XS Trek outsoles with the Impact Brake System sole for great grip on rock and steeper terrain. Fit-wise, the Spire runs small/narrow for men but apparently runs large in women's sizes. The Spire GTX is one of the best alpine hiking shoes for men and women who want something lighter than traditional trekking shoes.
Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite GTX
Main Benefits:
Made for the Italian Dolomites and Alps, the Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite is a time-tested alpine hiking shoe. It's lighter than the regular MTN Trainer but still pretty burly with plenty of backbone for tough mountain trails. Its design also mixes elements of hiking shoes and approach shoes for better rock scrambling. Its GORE-TEX waterproofing adds weather protection for summers at altitude and Pamoca rubber outsoles that grip rock and dig into soft and loose sediment for well-rounded mountain traction. The Mountain Trainer Lite runs wide by Salewa standards but still runs snug by American standards (size up). This is an obvious pick for one of the best alpine hiking shoes for men and women.
Scarpa Rush Trail GTX
Main Benefits:
The Scarpa Rush Trail GTX is the low-cut version of Scarpa's lightweight trekking boot, the Rush TRK. More of a traditional alpine hiking shoe than the first two shoes on this list, the Rush Trail GTX feels firm, stiff, and sturdy underfoot while maintaining some agility for athletic performance. The Presa rubber outsoles are soft enough to grip rock with some deeper lugs to gain traction on steep ascents and descents—perfect for alpine terrain. The Rush Trail is sturdier than the Rush 2 above and also has a roomier fit. It's one of the best alpine hiking shoes for men and women who want both stability and agility for their mountainous treks.
Lowa Delago GTX Lo
Main Benefits:
New for 2023, the Scarpa Delago is a brute that's built for big mountains and unpredictable weather. The heaviest shoe on this list, this low-cut trekking boot has stiff, rigid soles to prevent foot fatigue and stabilize ankles on uneven terrain. It's also built for rock scrambling with approach shoe-style laces, extra rubber in the toes, and Vibram outsoles designed for rock traction. The Delago is technically a trekking boot, but its low-cut build drops its weight down to more of the mid-weight hiking boot category for better athletic performance. This rock-solid shoe may be new, but it already rates as one of the best alpine hiking shoes for hikers who want a lot of stability and support in a low-cut package.
Buying the best alpine hiking shoes
You won't find the best alpine hiking shoes at your average sporting goods chain store. These are serious hiking shoes that you'll need to find at outdoor specialty retailers, such as Backcountry, REI. and your local outdoor gear shop. The affiliate links above will help you find these shoes online and check available sizes and colorways.
Are you feeling any of these alpine hiking shoes? If so, please consider purchasing your new pair through the affiliate links above. That doesn't cost you anything, but the billion-dollar retailer may share a small percentage of the sale with Hiking Feet. That covers my costs and gives me a little bit back for the hundreds of hours I've spend creating free and independent content to help men and women choose the best footwear for their hikes. Thanks for your support!
